Winter 2024 Newsletter
His Eminence joyfully handing out Christmas presents to the children of Saint Basil
Happy winter everyone! We hope this finds you all well, warm, and thriving. The past few months have been packed with very special moments for all of us here at Saint Basil Academy. December began with our fun-filled gingerbread event on December 2nd followed by an unforgettable Christmas program and celebration on December 9th. The children of Saint Basil performed a shadow-box play of the Christmas classic, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and it was absolutely magical! His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America gave a heartfelt and moving address to a packed house, as did the Consul General of Greece in New York, Ambassador Dinos Konstantinou. The United Cyprians of America dance group gave a beautiful performance and led everyone in joyful Greek dance, followed by a meal and distribution of gifts by His Eminence. It was a day that will always be remembered by the children and families of Saint Basil with great joy, affection, and gratitude.
January was full of wonderful things as well. On January 12th, we joined our friends from Saints Constantine & Helen in West Nyack for a Midnight Run to feed the homeless in NYC, and later in the month we were graciously hosted by the parishes and Philoptochos chapters of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, NJ and Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie, NY. We have also received an outpouring of love and support throughout the Christmas and Vasilopita season from so many across the nation, especially from the National Philoptochos. The National Philoptochos has consistently supported us since our inception with tremendous generosity. We could not do the work we do without them, and we are truly grateful.
Midnight Run with friends from Saints Constantine and Helen
Father Jason from Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church cutting the Vasilopita
Also in January, we were honored to welcome the Orthodox Volunteer Corps onto campus for their mid-year retreat, which was made possible with the support of the National Philoptochos. If you are not familiar with OVC, it is an amazing service organization whose mission is “To develop and equip Orthodox young adults to lead lives of faithful service for Church and world.” It matches Corps Members with year-long service placements such as homeless shelters, a free medical clinic, and after-school programs. If you are not familiar with their work, you should definitely check them out on the Orthodox Volunteer Corps website.
OVC members with Father Costa, Father Hisham, and Deacon Kary
You may recall that last year we began a new tradition here at Saint Basil by having a yearly theme and that 2023 was the Year of the Neighbor. This year, we have designated 2024 as the Saint Basil Academy Year of Water! In the Orthodox tradition, water plays so many important roles. It is used to baptize our children, bless our homes, and nourish our bodies and souls. In everyday life, water is one of the keys to our survival, keeping us healthy and hydrated and nourishing the plants and animals that feed us. Because our beautiful Saint Basil campus overlooks the Hudson River, water forms a backdrop for nearly every aspect of campus life. Our thriving aquatics program is also central to what we do here, and we are beyond proud that every child who comes through Saint Basil learns to swim, and many go on to become certified lifeguards.
The Saint Basil Academy Year of Water will promote water safety and drowning prevention both on campus and beyond. As part of this initiative, Saint Basil Academy is set to launch a series of engaging and informative content on Saint Basil Academy’s social media platforms to be shared throughout the community. These posts will not only highlight the importance of water safety but also offer practical tips and enjoyable activities centered around water. By raising awareness and providing essential knowledge, the Year of Water seeks to encourage individuals to embrace water safely while fostering a deeper appreciation for its vital role in our lives. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about the Year of Water or simply just to say hello.
As always, thank you so much for your friendship and support. We are extremely grateful for friends like you, and we hope to see you soon!
P.S. Please save the dates! The 2024 Saint Basil Academy Graduation will be happening on Saturday, June 22, and the 2024 Saint Basil Walk-a-Thon will be happening Saturday, September 21!
© Saint Basil Academy
© Saint Basil Academy